Counseling Office
773.442.4650
Room D-024
Group Counseling and Therapy
Why Group
Therapy?
You have
come to counseling with something that has been troubling you. Group therapy is
a treatment that could help you resolve your present dilemma. You probably have
a number of questions about this form of treatment. This brochure is designed
to answer some of those questions.
Just What
Is Group Therapy Anyway?
In group
therapy, approximately eight individuals meet face-to-face with a group
therapist and talk about what is troubling them. Members also give feedback to
each other by expressing their own feelings about what someone says or does.
This interaction gives group members an opportunity to try out new ways of
behaving and to learn more about the way they interact with others. What makes
the situation unique is that it is a safe environment with clear boundaries.
Group sessions are confidential; what people talk about or disclose is not
discussed outside the group.
The first
few sessions of a group usually focus on the establishment of trust. During
this time, members usually work to establish a level of trust that allows them
to talk personally and honestly. Group trust is enhanced when all members make
a commitment to the group.
Why Does
Group Therapy Work?
When
people come into a group and interact freely with other group members, they
find opportunities to learn about themselves in many different ways. Under the
skilled direction of a group therapist, the group is able to give support,
feedback and offer alternatives. In this way the difficulty becomes resolved,
alternative behaviors are learned, and the person develops new social
techniques or ways of relating to people. During group therapy, people begin to
see that they are not alone. Many times people feel they are unique in their
problems, and it is encouraging to hear that other people have similar
difficulties. In the climate of trust provided by the group, people feel free
to care about and help each other.
What Do I
Talk About When I Am In Group?
Talk about
what brought you to the counseling center in the first place. Tell the group
members what is bothering you. If you need support, let the group know. If you
think you need confrontation, let them know this also. It is important to tell
people what you expect of them.
Unexpressed
feelings are a major reason why people experience difficulties. Sharing your
feelings is an important part of group and affects how much you will be helped.
How much you talk about yourself depends upon what you are comfortable with. If
you have any questions about what might or might not be helpful, you can always
ask the group.
Common Misperceptions About Group
Therapy
Myth: "I will be forced to tell all of my deepest thoughts, feelings,
and secrets to the group."
Reality:
You control what, how much, and when you share with the group. Most
people find that when they feel safe enough to share what is troubling them, a
group can be very helpful and affirming. We encourage you not to share what you
are not ready to disclose. However, you can also be helped by listening to
others and thinking about how what they are saying might apply to you.
Myth: "I have so much trouble talking to
people; I'll never be able to share in a group."
Reality:
Most people are anxious about being able to talk in group. Almost
without exception, within a few sessions people find that they do begin to talk
in the group. Group members remember what it is like to be new to the group, so
you will most likely get a lot of support for beginning to talk in the group.
Myth: "I will be verbally attacked by the
leaders and by other group members."
Reality:
It is very important that group members feel safe. Group leaders are
there to help develop a safe environment. Feedback is often difficult to hear.
As group members come to trust and accept one another, they generally
experience feedback and even confrontation as positive, as if it were coming
from their best friend. One of the benefits of group therapy is the opportunity
to receive feedback from others in a supportive environment. It is rare to find
friends who will gently point out how you might be behaving in ways that hurt
yourself or others, but this is precisely what group can offer. This will be
done in a respectful way, so that you can hear it and make use of it.
Myth: "Group therapy is second-best to
individual therapy."
Reality:
Group therapy is being recommended to you because your intake counselor
believes that it is the best way to address your concerns. We do not put people
into group therapy because we don't have space in individual therapy, or
because we want to save time. We recommend group when it is the most effective
method to help you. Your intake counselor can discuss with you why group is
what we recommend for you.
Myth: “Group
therapy will take longer than individual therapy because I will have to share
the time with others.”
Reality:
Actually, group therapy is often more efficient than individual therapy for
two reasons. First, you can benefit from the group even during sessions when
you say little but listen carefully to others. You will find that you have much
in common with other group members, and as they work on a concern, you can
learn more about yourself. Secondly, group members will often bring up issues
that strike a chord with you, but that you might not have been aware of or
brought up yourself.
Are There Any Ground Rules For My Participation In The
Group?
If group
is to be effective, your commitment is essential. Here are the ground rules:
1.
If you must miss a session, please let the group leader know. The group meeting times have been arranged in
advance and you are asked to keep to those times.
2.
Having a feeling and acting on it are two different things.
Acting out your feelings is not acceptable whether you act them out upon
yourself or another member of the group. Our job is to experience our feelings
and understand them.
3.
It is your responsibility to talk about your reasons for being in
the group, when you feel safe enough to do so.
4.
Group sessions are confidential. Group members and group leaders
do not disclose the contents of group sessions to others.
5.
If you decide that you have gained as much as possible from the
group or that it isn't the most appropriate treatment method for you, we ask
that you come to the group and say good-bye.
6.
The work of the group needs to be done in the group during group
time. Therefore, we ask that you not socialize with other members of your group
during the time when you are a member of that group.
This webpage has been
adapted from materials originally developed at
Rev Aug-2004